NFL reviewing Black players’ injury claims after bias charges
3 years, 9 months ago

NFL reviewing Black players’ injury claims after bias charges

Al Jazeera  

Black former American football players say the league used ‘race-norming’ to make it harder for them to receive legal damages. The National Football League has pledged to halt the use of “race-norming” – a process that assumed Black players started out with lower cognitive functioning – when deciding whether to provide retired players with compensation for brain injury claims. Wednesday’s announcement comes after a pair of retired Black players filed a civil rights lawsuit over the practice, which had been used to determine payouts as part of a $1bn settlement reached between the NFL and players in 2013. Let’s see what they do,” said former Washington running back Ken Jenkins, whose wife Amy Lewis led the petition drive on behalf of NFL friends struggling with cognitive problems.

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History of this topic

NFL retirees who say the league’s disability plan is a sham can proceed to trial
1 year ago

NFL retirees who say the league’s disability plan is a sham can proceed to trial

Associated Press  

PHILADELPHIA — A lawsuit accusing the NFL’s disability plan of violating its duty to retired players by routinely denying valid injury claims can proceed to trial on most counts, a federal judge in Maryland has ruled. Lawyers for the 10 retired players who signed onto the potential class action called the ruling Wednesday “a huge win” for those subject to …

You might think the NFL is racist. An insider says he’s about to prove it in court.
1 year, 4 months ago

You might think the NFL is racist. An insider says he’s about to prove it in court.

Raw Story  

Jim Trotter’s new job at NFL.com began with the former ESPN and Sports Illustrated staffer noticing there were no Black people in decision-making positions at the National Football League-backed news website and multimedia hub. “It’s like the old Training Day line: It’s not what you know, it’s what you can prove.” Even a cursory look at his complaint against the …

Former NFL players speak out against the league's handling of disability benefits
1 year, 6 months ago

Former NFL players speak out against the league's handling of disability benefits

NPR  

Former NFL players speak out against the league's handling of disability benefits Enlarge this image toggle caption Jared Wickerham/Getty Images Jared Wickerham/Getty Images Blood, sweat and tears are the unspoken requirements every athlete must adhere to when playing in the National Football League. A group of former National Football League players is speaking out after a lawsuit was filed against …

Brain injuries, race and denial in the NFL
2 years, 1 month ago

Brain injuries, race and denial in the NFL

Al Jazeera  

The NFL is a multibillion-dollar industry. The National Football League is the richest professional sports league in the world, but it has been accused of leaving its Black players behind. For years, the NFL fought claims from its own players that the sport could cause long-term brain damage, including a disease known as CTE. The league has since paid a …

Former NFL players are suing the league over denied disability benefits
2 years, 1 month ago

Former NFL players are suing the league over denied disability benefits

NPR  

Former NFL players are suing the league over denied disability benefits Enlarge this image toggle caption Steven Senne/AP Steven Senne/AP A group of former National Football League players is suing the organization, alleging that it has a pattern of denying disability benefits for those with both physical injuries and mental impairments, despite evidence from medical and team records. The NFL …

Suit: NFL runs ‘sham’ disability program for injured players
2 years, 1 month ago

Suit: NFL runs ‘sham’ disability program for injured players

Associated Press  

Ten retired NFL players are accusing the league of lies, bad faith and flagrant violations of federal law in denying disability benefits in a potential class-action lawsuit filed Thursday in Baltimore. “They’re a small fraction of the players who have been wronged by the NFL’s disability plan. These former players deserve far more from an organization worth billions of dollars …

Suit: NFL runs 'sham' disability program for injured players
2 years, 1 month ago

Suit: NFL runs 'sham' disability program for injured players

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ten retired NFL players are …

Bloodsport: How the NFL failed its Black players
2 years, 4 months ago

Bloodsport: How the NFL failed its Black players

Al Jazeera  

Fault Lines investigates how the NFL didn’t compensate players who suffered head trauma playing the most popular US sport. The league promised to provide money and care to retired NFL players living with CTE and other neurological diseases linked to the game. And a neuropsychologist and former NFL-paid doctor tells Fault Lines that the NFL put pressure on doctors to …

More Black NFL retirees win dementia cases in rescored tests
2 years, 7 months ago

More Black NFL retirees win dementia cases in rescored tests

Associated Press  

PHILADELPHIA — Two years after a pair of former players sued the NFL over the treatment of Black retirees in the league’s $1 billion concussion settlement, hundreds of men whose medical tests were rescored to eliminate race bias now qualify for awards. “Men who are homeless, men who originally signed up but their cognitive function changed, men who are divorced …

Flores lawyer: Unconscionable for Goodell to arbitrate suit
2 years, 10 months ago

Flores lawyer: Unconscionable for Goodell to arbitrate suit

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — A lawyer for a Black NFL coach who sued the league alleging racist hiring practices told a judge Monday that arbitration is the wrong way to resolve the lawsuit in part because NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would be the arbitrator and that would be “unconscionable.” Attorney Douglas Wigdor said the league was trying to force “behind closed …

Judge approves fix to stem race bias in NFL concussion deal
3 years ago

Judge approves fix to stem race bias in NFL concussion deal

Associated Press  

PHILADELPHIA — Black retired football players who were denied payments for dementia in the NFL’s $1 billion concussion settlement can seek to be retested or have their claims rescored to eliminate racial bias in the testing and payout formula, under a revised plan finalized Friday. Outrage over the use of “race-norming” in the dementia testing — which assumed that Black …

New rules approved to end race-norming in NFL concussion testing and payouts
3 years ago

New rules approved to end race-norming in NFL concussion testing and payouts

LA Times  

Black retired players who were denied payments for dementia in the NFL’s $1-billion concussion settlement can seek to be retested or have their claims rescored to eliminate racial bias in the testing and payout formula, under a revised plan. Black retired football players who were denied payments for dementia in the NFL’s $1-billion concussion settlement can seek to be retested …

Many Republicans think the NFL does too much for Black players and are losing interest in the league, poll shows
3 years, 1 month ago

Many Republicans think the NFL does too much for Black players and are losing interest in the league, poll shows

LA Times  

The nation’s relentless culture wars appear to have taken a toll even on the NFL, with a large number of Republicans saying they have soured on the league and expressing disapproval of its efforts to improve the treatment of Black players, a new Los Angeles Times/SurveyMonkey poll shows. The poll can’t conclusively say why that decline has occurred, but two …

NFL, players agree to end ‘race-norming’ in $1B settlement
3 years, 5 months ago

NFL, players agree to end ‘race-norming’ in $1B settlement

Associated Press  

PHILADELPHIA — The NFL and lawyers for thousands of retired NFL players have reached an agreement to end race-based adjustments in dementia testing in the $1 billion settlement of concussion claims, according to a proposed deal filed Wednesday in federal court. The revised testing plan follows public outrage over the use of “race-norming,” a practice that came to light only …

NFL Agrees To End Race-Based Brain Testing In $1 Billion Settlement
3 years, 5 months ago

NFL Agrees To End Race-Based Brain Testing In $1 Billion Settlement

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING PHILADELPHIA — The NFL agreed to end race-based adjustments in dementia testing that critics said made it difficult for Black retirees to qualify for awards in the $1 billion settlement of concussion claims, according to a proposed deal filed Wednesday in federal court. The revised testing plan follows public outrage over the use of “race-norming,” a practice …

NFL agrees to end race-based brain testing in $1 billion settlement
3 years, 5 months ago

NFL agrees to end race-based brain testing in $1 billion settlement

LA Times  

The NFL logo on the goalpost padding at Heinz Field before a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos in Pittsburgh. The NFL agreed to end race-based adjustments in dementia testing that critics said made it difficult for Black retirees to qualify for awards in the $1 billion settlement of concussion claims, according to a proposed deal filed …

Harry Edwards: NFL ‘race-norming’ is morally unconscionable and legally indefensible
3 years, 9 months ago

Harry Edwards: NFL ‘race-norming’ is morally unconscionable and legally indefensible

LA Times  

Former NFL players Najeh Davenport and Kevin Henry recently sued the league, claiming that race-norming led to them being denied a portion of a concussion settlement with former players. The NFL has promised to put an end to the controversial practice of “race-norming,” which assumed Black players started out with a lower level of cognitive function and thereby makes it …

Eric Reid Slams NFL For Using 'Race-Norming' To Determine Brain Injury Claim Payouts
3 years, 9 months ago

Eric Reid Slams NFL For Using 'Race-Norming' To Determine Brain Injury Claim Payouts

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Eric Reid joined a chorus of people on social media slamming the NFL this week over its use of “race-norming” to determine players’ eligibility for payouts for their brain injury claims. Reid laid out racist assumptions behind using “race-norming” to determine brain injuries on Thursday, tweeting: “‘Race-norming’ = blacks are dumber than whites so the brain injuries …

NFL Pledges To End 'Race-Norming,' Review Brain Injury Claims From Black Players
3 years, 9 months ago

NFL Pledges To End 'Race-Norming,' Review Brain Injury Claims From Black Players

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING PHILADELPHIA — The NFL on Wednesday pledged to halt the use of “race-norming” — which assumed Black players started out with lower cognitive function — in the $1 billion settlement of brain injury claims and review past scores for any potential race bias. Wednesday’s announcement comes after a pair of Black players filed a civil rights lawsuit …

NFL pledges to halt ‘race-norming,’ review Black claims
3 years, 9 months ago

NFL pledges to halt ‘race-norming,’ review Black claims

Associated Press  

PHILADELPHIA — The NFL on Wednesday pledged to halt the use of “race-norming” — which assumed Black players started out with lower cognitive function — in the $1 billion settlement of brain injury claims and review past scores for any potential race bias. Wednesday’s announcement comes after a pair of Black players filed a civil rights lawsuit over the practice, …

NFL pledges to halt ‘race-norming’ and review brain injury claims by Black players
3 years, 9 months ago

NFL pledges to halt ‘race-norming’ and review brain injury claims by Black players

LA Times  

From left: Brooke Vaughn, Clarence Vaughn III, Ken Jenkins and Amy Lewis. The NFL on Wednesday pledged to halt the use of “race-norming” — which assumed Black players started out with lower cognitive function — in the $1-billion settlement of brain injury claims and to review past claims for any potential racial bias. Wednesday’s announcement came after a pair of …

Retired Black players say NFL brain-injury payouts show bias
3 years, 10 months ago

Retired Black players say NFL brain-injury payouts show bias

Associated Press  

PHILADELPHIA — Thousands of retired Black professional football players, their families and supporters are demanding an end to the controversial use of “race-norming” to determine which players are eligible for payouts in the NFL’s $1 billion settlement of brain injury claims, a system experts say is discriminatory. “Using race-specific norms can be enormously consequential, and the adjustments may often make …

Former NFL Players Demand League End Controversial ‘Race-Norming’ Practice
3 years, 10 months ago

Former NFL Players Demand League End Controversial ‘Race-Norming’ Practice

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING PHILADELPHIA — Thousands of retired Black professional football players, their families and supporters are demanding an end to the controversial use of “race-norming” to determine which players are eligible for payouts in the NFL’s $1 billion settlement of brain injury claims, a system experts say is discriminatory. “Using race-specific norms can be enormously consequential, and the adjustments …

Lawyers battle over ‘race-norming’ in NFL dementia tests
4 years ago

Lawyers battle over ‘race-norming’ in NFL dementia tests

Associated Press  

PHILADELPHIA — The court-appointed lead lawyer for thousands of retired players suing the NFL pledged Monday to try to remove race as a factor in dementia testing, but lawyers for Black players demanded he release the data on payouts by race in the $1 billion concussion settlement. Lawyers challenging the “race-norming” practice insist they need to be part of the …

Judge tosses suit over ‘race-norming’ in NFL dementia tests
4 years ago

Judge tosses suit over ‘race-norming’ in NFL dementia tests

Associated Press  

PHILADELPHIA — A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit that challenged “race-norming” in dementia tests for retired NFL players, a practice that some say makes it harder for Black athletes to qualify for awards that average more than $500,000. “We are deeply concerned that the Court’s proposed solution is to order the very parties who created this discriminatory system …

NFL players past and present want more action from owners
4 years, 5 months ago

NFL players past and present want more action from owners

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Black players …

NFL 'makes 10-year, $250 million commitment to combat systemic racism'
4 years, 9 months ago

NFL 'makes 10-year, $250 million commitment to combat systemic racism'

Daily Mail  

The NFL had pledged to donate $250 million over a 10-year period to fight systemic racism around the country amid uproar over last month's killing of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Recently a group of high-profile NFL players compiled a video voicing concern about what they felt has been suppression from the league since …

NFL boss admits 'we were wrong' over player protests
4 years, 9 months ago

NFL boss admits 'we were wrong' over player protests

The Hindu  

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell admitted Friday the league had been wrong to silence player protests as it responded to calls from a group of players to issue an explicit condemnation of racism. “We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. On Thursday, a …

With NFL CBA vote deadline near, here are 10 issues the players should consider
5 years ago

With NFL CBA vote deadline near, here are 10 issues the players should consider

New York Times  

The deadline for NFL players to cast their ballots for the proposed 11-year collective bargaining agreement is 11:59 p.m. No one really knows how the vote is faring because there is no polling like one sees in political elections. But we do know that the CBA the NFL proposed after 10 months of negotiations with the NFLPA has sparked controversy …

NFL ready to help football's governing bodies prevent future brain damage as concussion subs are discussed
5 years, 3 months ago

NFL ready to help football's governing bodies prevent future brain damage as concussion subs are discussed

The Telegraph  

The NFL is ready to meet with football’s governing bodies to share its best practice in protecting players against future brain damage ahead of a meeting next week to discuss the potential introduction of concussion substitutes. Research last month by the University of Glasgow revealed that former professional footballers are at a significantly increased risk of neurodegenerative disease and reported …

NFL concussion fund pays out $485M, but legal fights resume
5 years, 10 months ago

NFL concussion fund pays out $485M, but legal fights resume

Associated Press  

PHILADELPHIA — The NFL concussion fund has paid out nearly $500 million in its first two years, but some players’ lawyers say there aren’t enough doctors in the approved network to evaluate dementia claims. Fund administrator Orran Brown said ex-players from around the country had flocked to four doctors now dismissed from the program who had “high-volume” traffic and some …

NFL drops appeal over dementia claims in concussion case
6 years, 2 months ago

NFL drops appeal over dementia claims in concussion case

Associated Press  

PHILADELPHIA — The NFL abruptly dropped its plan Wednesday to challenge approved dementia diagnoses in a landmark concussion case as players’ lawyers accuse it of trying to delay payments and rewrite the $1 billion settlement. The NFL argued that it had agreed to remove a $765 million cap on payouts only in exchange for “a clear demarcation of the boundary …

Study finds at least 10% of NFL players could develop CTE
6 years, 3 months ago

Study finds at least 10% of NFL players could develop CTE

LA Times  

At least 10% of NFL players could develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the devastating neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head trauma, according to a study published this week in the journal Neurology. Their work built on a study published last year that found signs of CTE in 110 of 111 brains of deceased NFL players examined by a group associated with …

NFL concussion claims hit $500m nearly a decade sooner than expected
6 years, 7 months ago

NFL concussion claims hit $500m nearly a decade sooner than expected

Daily Mail  

More than $500 million in claims were approved as of Monday under the NFL's concussion settlement, nearly a decade earlier than league officials estimated they would reach that amount. 'I would not only want him to play football, I would certainly encourage him to do it and I would let him do it,' he said 'We encourage all eligible former …

NFL commissioner says Trump’s call for protesting players to be fired is disrespectful
7 years, 6 months ago

NFL commissioner says Trump’s call for protesting players to be fired is disrespectful

LA Times  

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, shown in July, says President Trump’s latest remarks on the NFL “demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect.” The National Football League and its players union on Saturday angrily denounced President Trump for suggesting that owners fire players who kneel during the national anthem and that fans consider walking out in protest “when somebody disrespects our flag.” …

NFL cuts ties with NIH concussion study
7 years, 7 months ago

NFL cuts ties with NIH concussion study

Daily Mail  

The NFL has cut ties with the National Institutes of Health study into concussion after years of feuding over critical researchers. And this week, just days before the NFL and NIH announced the end of their partnership, Dr Stern's research team published an explosive report, revealing 110 out of 111 deceased NFL players had signs of CTE in post-mortem examinations. …

Supreme Court leaves NFL concussion settlement in place
8 years, 3 months ago

Supreme Court leaves NFL concussion settlement in place

LA Times  

Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman is attended to by trainers against the Detroit Lions during a game in Detroit on Oct. 23, 2016. The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to review the settlement to concussion litigation between the NFL and retired players, clearing the way for payouts that could total hundreds of millions of dollars. “This decision means that, finally, …

Supreme Court Rejects Challenges To NFL Concussion Settlement
8 years, 3 months ago

Supreme Court Rejects Challenges To NFL Concussion Settlement

NPR  

Supreme Court Rejects Challenges To NFL Concussion Settlement Enlarge this image toggle caption Doug Mills/AP Doug Mills/AP The U.S. Supreme Court says it will not consider a challenge to the terms of a concussion-related settlement between the National Football League and more than 20,000 retired players. The Associated Press reported that the NFL estimates 6,000 former players, or nearly one-third, …

GOP seeks review of claim NFL tried to sway concussion study
8 years, 6 months ago

GOP seeks review of claim NFL tried to sway concussion study

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Thursday called for an independent review of allegations that the National Football League sought to improperly influence a government study into the link between football and brain disease. The committee’s top Democrat said in May the NFL tried to strong-arm the National Institutes of Health into taking the project away from a prominent researcher that …

NFL vice-president Jeff Miller acknowledges link between concussions and CTE brain condition
9 years ago

NFL vice-president Jeff Miller acknowledges link between concussions and CTE brain condition

ABC  

A top NFL official acknowledged for the first time on Tuesday a link between football-related concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain condition caused by repeated blows to the head. The statement came from the National Football League's senior vice president for health and safety, Jeff Miller, when he was asked during a hearing before the U.S. House of …

When It Comes To Brain Injury, Authors Say NFL Is In A 'League Of Denial'
11 years, 5 months ago

When It Comes To Brain Injury, Authors Say NFL Is In A 'League Of Denial'

NPR  

When It Comes To Brain Injury, Authors Say NFL Is In A 'League Of Denial' toggle caption Keith Srakocic/AP When the Pittsburgh Steelers won four Super Bowls in the 1970s, you could argue that no one played a bigger role than Mike Webster. League Of Denial The NFL, Concussions and the Battle for Truth By Mark Fainaru-Wada, Steve Fainaru Purchase …

Brain Injuries Haunt Football Players Years Later
14 years, 2 months ago

Brain Injuries Haunt Football Players Years Later

NPR  

Brain Injuries Haunt Football Players Years Later Enlarge this image toggle caption iStockphoto.com iStockphoto.com A 2000 study that surveyed 1,090 former NFL players found that more than 60 percent had suffered at least one concussion during their career. The National Football League and Congress have both held hearings on the head injuries, which can cause memory loss, confusion, nausea, blurred …

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